I'm bilingual.

I don't smoke! But I can be around light smokers.

I've lived in Montreal since 2003, where I've worked various retail jobs related to the arts, and studied various programs related to the arts (except for that one year I studied history).

I am a cultural sponge. My interests are wide-ranging, but I am especially well-versed in American and French cinema (mostly up to 2009, or the year I stopped working in a video store). I love television with witty dialogue, be it comedy or drama.

I'm also a big fan of standup comedy, and I've been performing it myself for a few years in French and English.

I always enjoy a stroll through modern and fine arts museums, as well.

And, of course, literature. I have a degree in it! And some day, hopefully, a job to go with it. I've read all sorts of things from great to trashy, but my recent favourite author is Emmanuel Carrere, who among other things wrote a fascinating biography on Philip K. Dick.

These are all indoors activities, I hear you say? Well, I also like to have a run in the park, bring a picnic to the park, play the ukulele in the park. I'll go camping occasionally but I'm very much due for a gear update!

Oh yes, I play music. I studied classical guitar for awhile and picked up a little piano along the way. I'm not the most technical player but I can hold my own in a good old-fashioned jam.

And, most importantly in my opinion, I'm always down for long conversations and spirited debates.

Last thing: I eat no gluten. I know, that sucks. I'm not hyper-sensitive, but I can't have pasta or a slice of regular bread. Or bechamel (oh, I miss that the most!)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm travelling through Spain and Portugal this September (2016) and I'd like to meet people who have a little time to show me around those places that might not be found in the tourist guides. Make no mistake, I will definitely go to the Sagrada Familia! But I also like to walk off the beaten path.

My schedule is very loose so I'll be looking for hosts within a day's notice most times--I don't know too much about the etiquette of this network yet, I hope that's okay!

Of course, I'm here to meet new people and make friends, that goes without saying! I'm not just here to save on hostels--I will definitely pitch in for food or other expenses.

Interests

I've covered most of them above, but about the New Yorker magazine: american politics are the politics I'm most familiar with. I can't say why, exactly, except for the fact that it's often a very entertaining circus to watch from the other side of the border, especially with Trump in the running.

I love eating. I'm a decent enough cook, but I'm an even better restauranteur :)

Also video games... I know it isn't a very "traveller" thing, but some games I've enjoyed as much as some very good books. That medium gets a bad rap more than it deserves sometimes. Gone Home, for example, is a great narrative experience about a young gay woman disguised as a haunted house story!

• literature
• cooking
• movies
• classical music
• electronic music
• jazz
• videogames
• television
• meeting new people
• standup comedy
• restaurants
• the new yorker magazine

Music, Movies, and Books

In no particular order, genre or medium:

The Big Lebowski
Le roi et l'oiseau
Saturday, Atonement -- Ian McEwan
Rushmore
Nick Hornby
Ben Folds
Aphex Twin
The Wire
Master of None
Shakespeare, of course! My favourite play is Measure for Measure
Manhattan
Those gritty Jean-Pierre Melville movies with Delon
Community
Nick Cave
30 Rock
PJ Harvey

I'm leaving plenty out, I'm pretty bad at lists!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The first time I stepped on a stage to tell jokes was the most nerve-wracking thing I ever did, even more than skydiving! But it most certainly was amazing. Making a room full of people laugh is something everyone should try at least once!

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you a few chords on the guitar, ukulele, or piano (although if you have a piano, you most likely already know the basics!)

I can teach you exactly two aiki-do moves.

I'd love to learn a bit more spanish--I took classes in college many years ago, but a lot of it is fuzzy now...

What I Can Share with Hosts

Good long talks. Drying the dishes. Washing the dishes. Dirtying the dishes. Silly jokes.

Countries I’ve Visited

United States